Electrode for measuring electrolytic effects



sept. 17, v1940.

v F. C. ELLIS' ELECTRGDE FOR` MEASURING ELCTROLYTIC EFFECTS Filed Dec. 11, 1937 fl//////vnf//////////////ll///////f Petented" ,trepaA .17, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT orrlclav ELECTRODE FOR MEASRING ELEC- TROLYTIC EFFECTS The present invention more particularly comprehends the provision of an improved electrode structure and wiring which may be employed `to indicate comparative electrolytic conditions at spaced positions. Although the present invention has applicability to a wide variety of uses,

one practical application which is comprehended may be made in connection with the process disclosed in my co-pending application, Serial No. 96,589, ilecl. August 18, 1936, wherein measurement and observation is made of electrolytic` currents produced when dissimilar electrodes are contacted at spaced points to the surface of a living animal organism.

I n proceeding inaccordance with my prior invention, it is desirable in some instances, as for example in determining localized areas of inflammation in the animal organism, to make comparisons of spaced areas on the surface of the organism, one of which is known to be normal,

Moreover, since the conclusions to be drawn fron the measurements obtained arev often dependent upon variation in conditions at spaced points in the same organism due to some local abnormality or inflammation, it has been found desirable to coincidentally make measurements at spaced points, either of which may be varied at will.

It is, accordingly, an important object olf.` the present invention to provide a plurality of paired dissimilar electrodes, so electrically connected 4 with a suitable indicating means as normally to give a. zero, mean or datum reading when contacted with areas of equal oruniform electrolytic characteristics but will vary oppositely from this 5 reading when one of the paired electrodes is contacted with lan area. of contrasting 4clectrolytic character. v

An additinai'object of the present invention is to provide a unitary electrodel structure having dissimilar electrodes so positioned as to provide a plurality of electrolyte responsive means at spaced points, said electrodes being connected to indicate the relative. activity of any electrolytic materialcontacted adjacent said spacedvpoints.

I A yet further object of the present invention is to provide a simple and effective apparatus fo coincidentally and directly comparing the elec- 'troly'tic characteristics of spaced electrolytic areas.

Numerous other objects and advantages will 5 more fully appear during',the course and progress of the following specification.

Referring to the drawing:

Figure l is a perspective view of an electrode unit which may be used in carrying out the present invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional elevation taken on the line 2-2 in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a view of the electrode shown in Figures 1 and 42 connected in accordance with 15 the present invention, the connections being shown in more or less diagrammatic form.

Figures 4 and 5 are perspective detail views of the end portions of other electrodes which may be employed in accordance with the present in- 20 vention.

Figure 6 is a wiring diagram for the electrode shown in Figure 5.

Figure '7 is a sectional elevation taken through a yet further electrode which may be'employed 25 in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 8 is an elevational View of an additional simple form vof electrode assembly for makingmeasurements at points of predetermined spacing. 30

Figure 9 is a yet further alternativev embodi- .ment of the present invention.

Figures l0, l1 and 12 are circuit diagrams showing diagrammatically preferred alternative methods of connection which may be employed in accordance with the present invention.

The electrodes used in accordance with the present invention may be of the type shown in Figures 1 and 2, comprising an insulating handle portion Ill having an enlarged end portion I2 in which are mounted the electrodesproper I4 and I6. These electrodes Il and I6 are preferably metallic, the central contact member I4 having a circular end portion while the outer contact 45 member I6 is annular in form, the two being spaced by a suitable annular area I8 of insulating material. Preferably the aforementioned surfaces of the contact members I4 and I6 are coplanar so that they may be readily situated ilat- 5'0 wise against any surface or substance, the electrolytic characteristics of which are to be measured. As shown more clearly in Figure 2, the members Il and `I6 are cylindrical and tubular in character, respectively, and are embedded in 55- the insulating material of the handle member. A pair of conductors 20 make electrical contact with the contact members I4 and I6 and with terminals 22 and 24 which are connected in a manner to be hereinafter described with suitable electrical conduits.

The members I4 and I6 comprise substances 'which are known in the art as being dissimilar in that they are spaced in the electro-motive series; that is, which, when contacted with an electrolyte, will create a potential difference therebetween. While the contact members have been described as preferably comprising metal members, it will be .obvious from this disclosure that the invention may be carried out with contact members of various substances whether solid, liquid or gaseous in character, provided they have or will, under conditions of employment, acquire a dissimilar character. Moreover, the shape or spacing of the contact members may be such as to suit the convenience of the particular electrolytic substance with which they are contacted.

Thus,. attention is directed to the contact members I4 and I 6, shown in Figures 4 and 5, which are segmental in form, and to the electrode structure shown in Figure 7 in ,which one of the contact members is formed of a liquid co. .iuctor. More specifically the electrode member shown in Figure 7 comprises one metallic electrode and described hereinafter more in detail.

The aforementioned electrodes are, in use, preferably connected as shown in Figure 3. Terminals 26 and 28 are connector members which are adapted to be aliixed to the terminals of a suitable device for measuring or indicating electric current or potential such, for example, as a galvanometer. It will be noted, therefore, that the terminals 24 of the two electrode members I0 which make electrical connection with the respectively, while the terminals 22 on the two electrode members are connected by continuations of the same conduits to the terminals to which the opposite electrode of the other pair is attached. When the terminals 26 and 28 are connected to a suitable galvanometer, the resul*- ing vconnections are as shown in the wiring diagram of Figure 10 of the drawing, the galvanometer being diagrammatically indicated at 34 while the contact members I4 grammatically represented as indicated by the corresponding numerals. It will be apparent that the electrode members are thus connected in opposition; that is, when currents of the same magnitude and direction originate at the pairs of electrodes, then no current will ow in the galvanometer 34..

Preferably the contact members I4 and I6 are, in both electrode members, composed of the same dissimilar materials and of substantially the same contacting area so that when they are contacted produced, a corresponding current will tend to ow in the galvanometer so that this instrument will give a reading upon one side of the zero point. Should the comparative increase in current occur with respect to the other electrode J'ected to the influence a dissimilar liquid electrode to be and- I6 are likewise diamember, then a current will 'ow lin the opposite direction through ducing a reading on the other side of the zero point.

In other words, the presentpair of electrode members is connected in `opposition such that the currents produced thereby are neutralized with respect to the galvanometer when they are equal, but whichproduce a characteristic deection of the galvanometer when they are subof electrolytes which are different in character. It will be vunderstood from the above disclosure that the contact members I4 and I6 need not under all conditions be exactly the same dissimilar materials since these maybe varied to produce any normal current ow in the galvanometer which may be taken as a mean or datum however, increased relative activation of one electrode member by contact with an electrolyte of increased activity, will always actuate the galother direction. The unitary electrode structure shown in ligure 8 comprises two pairs of dissimilar electrodes more or less rigidly mounted with respect td aV I0 andhaving xed spachandle member I0, which single handle member ing. To this end the position. In any event,

the galvanometer, proi is preferably of some insulatinglmaterial. is connected rigidly at one end to a transverse mem-y ber 36 which carries adjacent each end a pair of forwardly projecting arms 38. These arms are provided in their free end surfaces with contact members I4 and I6 which maybe of any of the types hereinbefore described. Conduit members 30 and 32, extending withinsuitable hollow pas sages interiorly of -the dierent portions of' the electrode member connect the two pairs of dissimilar electrodes 'to the terminals 22 and 24 in substantially the same manner as indicated in the wiring diagram of Figure 10. directed to the means provided for releasably at-v taching the Aprojecting arms verse support 36 and comprising an adjustable thumb screw 40 threaded in releasably attachable to. the' ends of the arms, as at v44.

In use, this device handle IIIv and then the two pairs of electrodes n the ends of the forwardly projecting arms 38 may be pressed uniformly against or immersed in any desired electrolytic material or materials. When connected to a galvanometer 34, as here cent the pairs of electrodes. l The preferred alternative embodiment disclosed in Figure 9 comprehends the support and arrangement of pairs of electrodes such that their spacing andA relative positioning may be varied within wide limits.. To this end the transversely extending member 36 is provided at either end with ball and socket of links 50. These links are in'v turn connected through ball and socket joints 46 tothe forwardly projecting arms 38, each of which supports a pair of dissimilar electrodes on its end hereinbefore described. These electrodes are likewise preferably wired for attachment to a suitable galvanometer or the like.4

The present type of electrode structure has particular adaptability for use in accordance may be grasped by the deviation of the reading surface, as"

. the spine,

with my aforementioned process for localizing abnormal inflamed areas. The arrangement of ball and socket joints connected by the movable links 50 permits the arrangement of the contact members so that they may be positioned flat'- wise against various portions of the surface of the organism regardless of the curvature thereof. Thus, for example, if 52 represents the back of a patient diagrammatically in transverse section, then the arrangement at which the parts are shown would be suitable for determining the relative pathologic activity on either side thereof. Thus, for instance, with the movable members set as shown in-Figure 9, the electrode may be positioned so that each pair of dissimilar contact members lis spaced on either side of Athe spine. By moving the pairs of electrodes and repositioning them at various spaced points along a `comparison of the relative pathological activity of the two sides will appear from. the resulting reading on the galvanometer. It will be apparent from the above disclosure that the handle portions I of the electrode units shown in Figures 8 and 9 may be positioned vari-A ously with respect to the other parts in'accord- 'ance with the convenience of the operator. Thus,

the handle member l0 may form an extension of the transverse member I6 or may be positioned "at right angles to this member and to the forwardly projecting arms when in normal position.

The wiring diagrams shown in Figures 10' and 11 illustrate alternative preferred methods of electrically connecting the dissimilar contact ymembers and of forming the circuit between.

these contact members vand the galvanometer.

The arrangement of these contact members, as

shown in Figure 11, might be deemed a series arrangement as opposed to the generally parallel connections in Figure 10. It will be noted, however7 that the contact members I6 are directly connected while the contact members I4 lead to opposite terminals of the. galvanometer. Accordingly,'the effect of electrolytic currents produced by the two pairs of contactmembers is to pass through the galvanometer circuit in opposite directions, thus tending toA buck each other in the manner hereinbefore described.

The diagram shown in Figure 12 bears some general resemblance to a Wheatstone bridge, the

pairs of dissimilar contact members being posi'- tioned in adjacent arms 54 and 56 thereof. 'I'he opposite side of the bridge may comprise a fixed.

resistor 58 and avariable resistor 60. The galvanometer is connected at one side at a point between the arms 54 and 56 and at its other side between the arms formed by the two resistors.

This arrangement permits ready adjustment of the zero or datum point on the galvanometer. Thus, for example, should the pairs of electrodes be of differentl character or should the other characteristics of any of the elements of the cir' cuit be such as to vary the calibration of the instrument 34, then it will 'be apparent that adjustment of the resistor 60 may compensate for .this factor. So, too, when the reading given by the galvanometer is extremely high or off scale, the magnitude'thereof may be determined from the quantity of resistance which must be added or subtracted in the arm 60.

Returning to the specific-structure of the electrodes shown in Figure 5, it will be--noted that three contact surfaces, namely, 62, 64 and 63, are` provided and may be composed of three dissimilar materials. The preferred wiring diagram for this'type of electrode is shown in Figure` 6 nected to one onb7 of the vided with an annular ring to t the said tapered end. The dissimilaranpurpose of illustrating .the invention. f

and comprises the conduit members connecting the contacts 62 and 64 to the terminals 22 and 24. The third contact 66, however, is conconduits through the intermediary of the variable resistor 68. The 5 main purpose of this type of electrode is to per-g mit control of the dissimilar contact members. Thus, when it is desired to produce currents of known magnitude with a known electrolyte and with dissimilar contact members of fixed size, 10

the controlling factor is the spacing of the dissimilar materials in the electro-motive series. Materials of the desired spacing are not always available and, accordingly, it is proposed to employ alloys. Various diiiiculties, however, attend l5 the employment of alloyed materials. In the electrode structure shown in Figures 5 and 6, however, the two individual electrodes 64 and 66 act together as though they were alloyed in a single electrode, but corrections may be vmade 20 for the presence of impurities or other variables,

yfor example, by adjustment of the resistance 68.

The electrode structure shown in Figure 7 comprises a, body of a suitable conducting liquid .1li enclosed in 'a suitable, preferably insulating 25 vessel f12. vA conduit member 20 connects with the conducting liquid 10 through the agency of a conducting member 14 immersed therein. The lower end of the vesselv 12 is tapered and is pro- 16 .which is ground 30 nular contact member 1.6 is mounted about the annular ground member 16 due to the presence of the aperture l18 communicating with the ground Jointv between the lower end .of the vessel 12 and the annular ring 16, theconducting liquid 10 is given access to the ground joint and' is caused to flow therethrough by capillary attraction. Accordingly, therefore, when lthe lower face of this electrodemember is pressed against "4o an electrolyticmaterial with the conduits 20 attached in one of the hereinbefore mentioned circuits, an electrolytlc action will be set up between the electrolyte, the contact member I6 and the second dissimilar contact material formed by the dissimilar nquid material 1o which extends 45 to the annular line formed by the lower edge of the ground joint. Preferably the vessel 12 and the annular ring 16 may be formed of some nonconductor such as glass. It will be obvious from this 'disclosure that the -vessel form of the dissimilar materialsl employed is generally immaterial.-

The present invention provides a simple and Aeffective means for determining relative electro- '55 It is thought that the invention and numerous of its attendant advantages will be understoodi'rom the foregoing description and it is obvious that numerous changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the 65 several parts without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention, or sacrificing any of its attendant advantages, the form herein de.

scribed being a preferred embodiment for the l I claim: 1. An electrode means comprising a manually manipulatable device having a plurality of pairs of spaced contact members formed of dissimilar materials insulatingly supported` on said. device,

tacted with a material of -and terminal means for connection to an electric current measuring means, said pairs of contact members being electrically connected to the termilnal means in opposition so that the current measured by the measuringmeans is equivalent to the diiference in the current produced by each pair, said pairs of contact members having contact portions located adjacent an outer surface of the said device and being cooperably arranged for coincidental application to the surface of a mass to be electrolytically measured.

2. An electrode means for determining the relative-electrolytic activity of. a plurality of electrolytes comprising a manually manipulatable device comprising a plurality of pairs of spaced contact members, each pair being composed of substances of dissimilar electro-motive characteristics, said pairs of contact members having contact portions located adjacent an outer surface of said device and being cooperably arranged for coincidental application to the surface of a mass to be electrolytically measured, at spaced points and electric current indicatingmeans, said pairs of contact members being electrically connected to the terminal means in opposition so that the current indicated by the current indicating means is a function of the current produced by both pairs.

3. Means for determining the relative electrolytic activity of spaced electrolytic areas comprising a manually manipulatable device compris-A in-g electrode means having a plurality of spaced pairs of dissimilar contact members said pairs of contact members having contact portions located adjacent an outer surface of the said device and being cooperably arranged for coincidental` application to the surface of a mass to be electrolytically measured, and terminal means for connection to an electric indicating means, said pairs being connected to said indicating means in opposition whereby to produce a predetermined or datum reading of said indicating means when said pairs of electrodes are contacted with equivalent electrolytes and to produce a variation from said reading when either of said pairs are consuperior electrolytic activity.

4. Means for determining the relative electrolytic activity of spaced electrolytic areas comprising a manually manipulatable device having a plurality of spaced pairs of dissimilar contact members said pairs of contact members having contact portions presented outwardly of an o uter surface of said unit and cooperably arranged for coincidental application tothe surface of a solid mass to be electrolytically measured. and indicating means electrically connected with each of said pairs of contact members in such a manner that' electrolytic currents produced thereby still tend to pass reversely through the indicating means.

5. Means for determining the relative electrolytic activity of spaced electrolytic areas comi prising electrode means having a unitary frame member with a handle, a plurality o f spaced pairs of dissimilar contact members mounted on said frame member, said pairs of contact members having contact portions located adjacent an outer surface of said device and being cooperably arranged for coincidental application to the surface of a mass to be electrolytically measured, electromotive indicating means, said pairs of contact members being connected to said indicating means in opposition so thatelectrical currents produced upon contact with an electrolytic material will tend to pass reversely throughy the indicating the surface of a mass to be means, and adjustable supporting means connecting said pairs to said frame member-and permitting adjustment of the spacing and positioning of the contact surfaces thereof. y

6. Means for determining the relative electrolytic-activity of spaced electrolytic areas comprising electrode means having an insulating handle, a transversely extending member secured to said handle, forwardly extending arms adjacent either end of said transversely extending member,

a pali' of dissimilar contact members formed in comprising a pair of insulatingly supported con- I tact members of dissimilar materials having contact portions presented outwardly adjacent an outer surface of said device and cooperably arranged for coincidental application to the dry surface of a mass to be electrolytically measured for determining the electrolytic activity thereof, one of said contact members comprising a solid conducting member, the other of said contact members comprising capillary means and a liquid of dissimilar electro-motive characteristics communicating therewith. v

8. A manually manipulatable electrode unit adapted for contact with surfaces to indicate the electrolytic condition thereof comprising a pair of insulatingly supported contact members of dissimilar materials insulatingly supported on said device lfor determining the electrolytic activityA thereof, one of said contact members comprising a conducting member, theother of said contact members comprising a capillary conduit member and a liquid of dissimilar electro-motive characteristics communicating therewith.

9. In a device for measuring the relative electrolytic activity of spaced, electrolytic areas having relatively dry surfaces against which electrode means may be forcefully pressed, said device comprising a manually manipulatable unit having a supporting handle and electrode means operatively mounted with respect to said handle and comprising a. plurality of insulatingly spaced, pairs of dissimilar contact members, said pairs of contact members having contact portions facing outwardly of the surface of said device and operably arranged for coincidental application to the said surface of a mass to be electrolytically measured, terminal receiving means for receiving the terminals of an electrical current .indicating means and connector means connecting said terminal receiving means and said contact members, said connector means being connected and arranged to conduct electrolytic currents induced in each of said pairs of contact members reversely with respect to said indicating means when the said-electrodes are contacted with said electrolytic areas whereby to produce a predetermined or datum reading of said indicating means when the said pairs are associated with electrolytically equivalent areas and to produce a characteristic variation from said readings when either of said pairs are contacted lwith a material of varying electrolytic activity.

1 10. In a device for measuring the relative elec- 75 trolytic activity of spaced, electrolytic areas having relatively dry surfaces against which electrode means may be forcefully pressed, said device comprising a manually manipulatable unit having a supporting handle and electrode means operatively mounted With respect to said handle and comprising a plurality of insulatingly spaced, pairs of dissimilar contact members, said pairs of contact members having contact portions facing outwardly of the surface of said ldevice and operably arranged for coincidental application to the said surface of a mass to be electrolytically measured, terminal receiving means for receiving the terminals of an electrical current indicating means and connector means connecting said terminal receiving means and said contact members, said connector means being connected and arranged to conduct electrolytic currents induced in each of said pairs of contact members reversely with respect to said indicating means when the said electrodes are contacted with said electrolytic areas whereby to produce a predetermined or datum reading of said indicating means when the said pairs are associated with electrolytically equivalent areas and to produce a characteristic variation from said readings when either of said pairs Aare contacted with a material of varying electrolytic activity, and means for adjustably `controlling the current flow in circuit with one of said pairs of contact membersy to permit adjustment of the said predetermined reading. I

11. In a device for measuring the relative electrolytic activity of spaced, electrolytic areas having relatively dry Vsuri'aces'against'which elec'- trode means may be forcefully pressed, said device comprising a manually manipulatable unit having a unitary frame with handle'means thereon, a

' plurality of spaced pairs of -dissimllar contact members -insulatingly mounted on said frame,

said pairs of contact members having contact portions in general alinement on an outer surface of said device, said portions being cooperably mounted for coincidental application to the surface of a ,mass to be electrolytically measured, a pair of terminal receiving members ron said frame adapted to receive the terminals of an electrical current measuring instrument, and electrical connections between said contact members and said terminal receiving means for connecting the said pairs of contact members in opposition l5 so that electrical currents produced upon contact with an electrolytic area will be directed reversely through said current measuring instrument.

12. A unitary electrode construction adapted for contact with a relatively solid surface for determining the electrolytic ,condition thereof, said unit comprising an elongated handle member, said handle member being operatively connected with a -contact portion adjacent one extremity thereof, said contact portion insulatingly `supporting a pair of electrodes of dissimilar material, said electrodes being supported in spaced relationship and having outer unobstructed contact surfaces in substantial alinement for cooperative, coincidental application to the surface of a mass to. be electrolytically examined, and terminal receiving means electrolytically connected to said contacts and adapted to receive the-terminals of the galvanom'eten l FRANCIS C. ELLIS. 35 

